Digital Transition: COMESA Certification Goes Online by ZIMRA. Questioning the Capacity of ZIMRA's Digital Infrastructure.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has seen a significant surge in registrations for its Tax and Revenue Management System (TaRMS), as the country takes a giant leap towards digital trade. This transition aligns with the broader customs modernization efforts, such as those endorsed by the World Customs Organization, and forms part of COMESA's push to digitise trade documentation across member countries.
The COMESA Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CoO) is a digital tool designed to certify that goods are produced or processed within a COMESA member country. This certificate enables exporters to access preferential tariffs under COMESA trade rules, facilitating trade within the region by proving the origin of goods to qualify for duty reductions or exemptions.
The adoption of the e-CoO by countries like Zimbabwe offers several benefits. Faster approvals are achieved due to the elimination of manual stamps and signatures, reducing fraud through electronic verification, and cost savings from reduced paper use and fewer physical visits. Enhanced cross-border efficiency is also achieved since certificates can be instantly verified by other COMESA members via a regional digital platform.
Zimbabwe, which recently moved from paper to digital certificates, has been recognised for its leadership in promoting the electronic system. The country joins other member states like Eswatini, Malawi, and Zambia in this regional digital transformation. The full regional rollout aims for completion by 2026.
Exporters in Zimbabwe need to register on the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window (ZeSW) platform to apply for the e-CoO. From August 1, 2025, ZIMRA will only issue COMESA Certificates of Origin online, and will stop accepting manual COMESA Certificates of Origin from the same date. All applications for COMESA Certificates of Origin must be submitted through Zimbabwe's Electronic Single Window (ZeSW) system from August 1, 2025.
The transition to digital COMESA Certificates of Origin could shave days off the export process and make doing business across borders just a little less painful. An impact study from 2024 showed that digital certification reduced processing times and cut costs for both businesses and customs.
ZIMRA urges exporters to start transitioning immediately to avoid delays when the paper system is shut down on 1 August 2025. The Commissioner of Customs and Excise from ZIMRA chaired a June 2025 workshop in Lusaka, demonstrating Zimbabwe's commitment to leading the way in digital trade within the COMESA region.
The goal of COMESA's digitisation push is to make trade faster, cheaper, and more transparent. This transition is crucial for the success of the transition. With over 116% surge in TaRMS registrations as of mid-2025, it's clear that Zimbabwe is finally catching up with other countries in the region on facilitating digital trade.
Zimbabwe has been praised for taking a leading role in recent COMESA meetings. The implementation of these digital systems is a testament to the country's commitment to improving its trade infrastructure and promoting economic growth within the region.
Businesses in Zimbabwe can benefit from the adoption of digital trade systems, such as the COMESA Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CoO), which facilitates trade within the region by providing faster approvals, reducing fraud, and eliminating paper use. Technology plays a crucial role in this transition, with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) seeing a significant surge in registrations for its Tax and Revenue Management System (TaRMS) as part of this digital push. This move towards digital trade aligns with broader customs modernization efforts, such as those endorsed by the World Customs Organization, and is part of COMESA's aim to digitize trade documentation across member countries.
